Feeling Sick After Sex
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Feeling Sick After Sex
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Forget lovesickness — for some people, hot-and-steamy romps in the sack leave them feeling, well, not so hot.
Not in the mood tonight? You probably have a number of clever cop-outs up your sleeve — your head is killing you, you’ve been so tired lately, or you’d just hate to spread your sore throat and sniffles to your spouse.
But can you imagine having to turn down your partner’s advances because having sex would actually make you sick — trigger a piercing headache, flu-like symptoms, or even amnesia? From postcoital depression to postorgasmic illness syndrome, here’s a look at some common (and some unusual) sexual sicknesses.
Have you ever had sex that's so toe-curlingly fabulous, you can't think straight? For one woman in Washington, DC, a roll in the hay with her husband zapped her memory ... literally.
Her memories began to disappear about an hour after intercourse, and doctors diagnosed her with transient global amnesia (TGA) — a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that affects between 23 and 32 people out of 100,000 each year in the United States.
The incident was reported in the Journal of Emergency Medicine , and doctors were a little stumped. That's because researchers aren't exactly sure what causes TGA. A study published in Stroke found that patients with TGA tend to have insufficiency of the valves in the jugular vein, which carries deoxygenated blood from the brain to the heart.
Sex isn't the only trigger — transient global amnesia may also be caused by other physically strenuous activities. Fortunately, people who experience this curious condition usually get their memory back within a few hours, and it's unlikely to happen again.
It’s a clichéd excuse when you want to avoid intercourse (“not tonight, dear — I’ve got a headache”), but for some people, sex actually triggers head pain. According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF) , two types of headaches are associated with sexual activity, especially with orgasm . In the first type, sexual excitement causes muscle contraction in the head and neck, leading to head pain. Headaches associated with strenuous physical activity, like weight lifting or sexual intercourse, are also known as exertional headaches . Most exertional headaches are benign, and they are most commonly associated with patients who are prone to migraines , but in some cases they can be a sign of abnormalities in the brain or other diseases. If you think you’ve experienced an exertional headache, see your doctor.
The second type of sex-induced headache has been dubbed an “orgasmic headache.” An orgasmic headache is a very intense, severe vascular headache usually occurring just before orgasm, according to the NHF. The headache can be a response to an increase in blood pressure , and it usually lasts a few minutes (but can last for hours). It occurs more frequently in men than in women and usually strikes those prone to migraines.
Feeling glum about a not-so-great sexual encounter is one thing — but in a small study published in the International Journal of Sexual Health , one-third of women said they've felt depressed even after a perfectly pleasing lovemaking session. Researchers call it postcoital dysphoria, and it affects about 10 percent of women regularly.
Postsex depression is marked by feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability, or agitation. If you’re regularly sad in the sack, you might want to explore the reasons for your feelings with a therapist, says the obstetrician- gynecologist Paula Bednarek, MD, MPH , an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. These emotions could also be related to feeling unequal in your partnership or other relationship issues.
Can you be physically allergic to sex ? Up to 40,000 women in the United States are believed to have a semen allergy . Although this sexual sensitivity is rare, Dr. Bednarek says that semen changes the pH balance in the vagina for some women, resulting in irritation, cervical mucus , hives , and swelling. Your best bet for reducing the symptoms of semen allergy is to use a condom, says Bednarek.
Have you ever experienced flu-like symptoms like fever, foggy head, painful muscles or joints, fatigue, or problems concentrating right after having sex? You could have postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS), a condition first identified in 2002 that tends to affect men shortly after ejaculation (it also, rarely, may occur in females). According to a study published in August 2016 in Translational Andrology and Urology , there are indications that POIS is triggered in a man by an autoimmune reaction to his own seminal fluid (in women, it’s associated with tissue around the vagina). If you think POIS could be putting a damper on your sex life, it’s time to talk to a urologist or gynecologist.
If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection , you know the symptoms well. There’s the pain when you urinate , the need to go often, and the maddening feeling that you can’t completely empty your bladder.
And some unfortunate females seem to be extra susceptible to getting UTIs, says Bednarek ( adult women are 30 times more likely than men to get the infection ). One thing that increases their risk? There’s a reason why UTIs have been nicknamed “honeymoon disease.” Sexual activity introduces bacteria into a woman's urinary tract. If you’re plagued with UTIs, try urinating right after sex — this can flush any unwanted bacteria out of your urethra.
Our bodies naturally contain a certain amount of yeast — but if those levels get out of control, you could end up with one big, itchy problem: a yeast infection. “Women's yeast infections may be triggered by a change in pH from semen or a new lubricant," Bednarek says. "Hormonal changes also can make women prone to yeast infections.”
A yeast infection isn’t an STD, but it is characterized by some of the same symptoms: itch and irritation, painful sex, and a thick discharge. You can treat it with over-the-counter medications, but if that doesn’t work, check in with your doctor.
Your vagina is chock-full of bacteria — some of it is good bacteria (which helps control the bad kind), and some of it is bad. But if the balance of good and bad bacteria gets upset, you could end up with a common vaginal infection known as bacterial vaginosis.
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include cervical mucus that may be white or gray in color; cervical mucus with a strong, foul odor; vaginal odor that is particularly strong, with a fishy smell after sex; vaginal itching ; and painful or burning urination. It’s not a sexually transmitted disease per se — but it can be caused by sex, and women with multiple partners or a new partner are at higher risk. Reduce your risk by being in a monogamous relationship, using condoms, avoiding douching, practicing good hygiene, and wearing cotton underwear and pants that fit loosely in the crotch. Untreated bacterial vaginosis can lead to other complications and health risks, so if you think you have it, see your ob-gyn right away; he or she may suggest a prescription medication.
Should you still have sex when your honey has a cold? “If you’re close enough to have sex, you’re close enough to be coughed on,” says Bednarek. Sleep with your sneezing, coughing, ailing sweetheart, and you may notice your own set of symptoms (like cough , fever, runny nose, muscle aches, and sore throat) in about a week. Want to stay healthy? Take a rain check!
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Feeling sick after sex isn’t unusual. But it’s not something you should regard as normal. It’s a terrible way to end off a passionate night with your significant other. And if you feel sick after sex, you must investigate further.
If you feel sick after sex, it can be worrying. But there are many possible explanations as to why you feel this way. And many causes have a simple solution. While others could be more serious. Some causes may be penetration depth, the intensity of the act, contraction of the uterus, or endometriosis. Dehydration, foods, alcohol, and drugs can also play a role.
The truth is several things could make you feel ill after intercourse. In fact, experiencing an orgasm in itself could cause you to feel nauseous afterwards. However, get to the heart of the problem Is crucial if you don’t feel well. Especially if you regularly feel this way.
Let’s take a closer look at these and other possible reasons why you feel sick after sex.
If your partner penetrates you too deeply, it may result in contact with your cervix. Making contact with your cervix can easily stimulate your vagus nerve. This nerve which passes through your body connecting your abdomen with your brain. When stimulated, you’ll experience what is called a vasovagal syncope .
A vasovagal response will result in a rapid dip in your blood pressure and heart rate. And this could make you feel very nauseous. This response can also make you feel faint.
However, when your body reacts in this way, there’s no need to be alarmed. Simply lie down and give your body time to rest while waiting for the feeling to pass. Deep breathing is also effective to overcome this feeling.
To avoid feeling sick after sex, speak to your partner about the level of penetration you’re comfortable with. Try out different positions when next you have sex to discover what works and is more comfortable for you.
That’s right. If your sexual activities result in you being very active for prolonged periods, you may feel queasy afterwards. Thrusting vigorously back and forth without stopping can cause motion sickness. The same way that a rocking boat or car makes you feel ill.
Motion sickness may not be a common cause of feeling sick after sex, but it does happen. Therefore, it’s worth considering as a possibility. If this is the reason you’re feeling ill, it may be wise to slow things down a little bit next time.
This may not be the best news, but your orgasm could be the reason you feel sick after sex. When you climax, your uterus contracts. And for some, this can lead to both pain and nausea during and after sex. But that’s not to say you have to steer clear sex or orgasms to keep this feeling at bay.
If you take a mild anti-inflammatory before sex, it should prevent the awful side effects of the orgasm. And you should feel satisfied and uplifted after an orgasm.
A more serious underlying condition could make you feel sick after sex. And one of the possibilities could be some type of growth or mass. Common growths that could be likely culprits are fibroids and ovarian cysts. If either of these are aggravated during intercourse, it could result in nausea and possibly some pain.
If you think there’s a chance you might have fibroids or a cyst, it’s best to er on the side of caution and see your gynaecologist. Your specialist will carry out a pelvic exam and ultrasound to determine whether a mass is present. And they’ll then recommend a course of treatment if one is found.
Treatment may involve taking medication over a short period. Or, if the mass is large, you may need surgery.
Endometriosis is a serious but treatable condition. And it occurs when the lining tissue of the uterus starts growing on the exterior of the uterus cavity. Someone with endometriosis may feel pain and nausea during and after sex.
This is a condition that must not be disregarded. The sooner you detect it, the easier it will be to treat. Therefore, if you’re experiencing unpleasant bouts of nausea and discomfort when having sex, please see your doctor as soon as possible.
Several psychological conditions can elicit a physical response to whatever emotions you feel. For instance, if you’re prone to anxiety and feel anxious around your partner, it could make you feel sick after sex.
Or perhaps you suffer from PTSD due to a traumatic event linked to a past relationship. If so, it’s entirely possible that the act of intercourse may trigger some difficult emotions and make you feel ill.
These are just two examples. It could be an of multiple psychological responses. Irrespective, it’s vital to make an appointment with a psychologist as soon as you can in this instance. The sooner you can talk things through with a professional, the sooner you can deal with your emotional barriers. And the sooner you can go back to having sex enjoyable and fulfilling sex with your partner.
Drinking a great deal of alcohol or doing drugs before sex is a sure-fire way to make yourself feel ill. Drugs, such as cannabis and meth, and alcohol alone are often associated with feelings of nausea, dizziness, headaches, and more.
Consuming these before engaging in physically demanding sexual activity will certainly increase your chances of feeling sick after sex. So, it’s best to steer clear of these substances or at least consume them in moderation before sex.
You may have experienced certain foods being less agreeable than others. You could have a food allergy or two, which forces you to avoid certain types of food. And you may also have food allergies you aren’t aware of yet.
Taking part in a rigorous session of intercourse with your partner may just aggravate an underlying issue related to food. Or it could simply mean that you ate too much before sex or were too active too soon after eating.
Granted, this is an uncommon cause for feeling sick after sex. However, it might be a good idea to monitor what you eat before sex. And, if you feel ill afterwards, try adjusting your diet before your next romp under the sheets.
Dehydration is a common problem in general. And it may be the answer to you feel sick after sex. Being dehydrated could lead to more severe health problems down the line. So, it’s best to quickly get into the habit of drinking about 1.5 litres of water per day.
Staying hydrated could be the difference between a disappointing night of lovemaking and a pleasant one.
Irrespective of what causes you to feel sick after sex, it’s vital to realize that it’s not a normal response to sexual intercourse. And it could well be your body letting you know that there’s an underlying issue that needs your attention.
If you feel sick after sex once and never again, then chances are you have nothing to worry about. But if you frequently feel this way after sex, it’s best to seek medical advice.
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Published on April 20, 2020
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Having sex with your partner can be an emotional rollercoaster: it may leave you feeling invigorated–or perhaps just a little queazy. One of the most common negative experiences would include flu like symptoms after sex. This would include symptoms such as a headache, fever, stomach ache, fatigue, sinus issues and sore throat. Usually, people expect to feel that after-sex “glow”, so is it normal to have flu-like symptoms after sex?
In general, these symptoms can range in normalcy. You may actually have the flu; but if these symptoms persist, get worse or you are concerned about your sexual health, it is important to get tested for STDs as soon as possible. This will not only rest your worries but also avoid any potential complications. It is completely understandable that these symptoms after sex can be disheartening. But depending on the situation, it can easily be remedied.
There are a variety of reasons that you may be feeling under-the-weather after sex. The following is a non-encompassing list of potential reasons, some a little more common than others. These cases vary in degrees from harmless to more serious conditions requiring testing, diagnosis and treatment.
While your mind may drift to assume the worst, it’s very likely that your flu-like symptoms are simply that–the flu. Influenza is not the most comfortable illness, but millions of people experience it every year. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), this virus is more of a risk to the elderly and children under 5 years. Complications can come about at any age, but there are antiviral medications available to treat such this illness.
Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS), according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a rather rare condition. This syndrome involves the experience of symptoms similar to the flu or an allergic reaction after orgasm. The cause of this illness has yet to be discovered; however, many speculate that it is caused by an autoimmune disorder or an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. The chance that POIS may be the cause is rather unlikely, but should not be discarded.
Our emotions can have a significant effect on our physical and mental well-being. When we have our first time, find a new partner or try something new, nerves may cause an upset stomach. Of course, this is a perfectly normal response which dissipates with time. Having sex can be a time of vulnerability when anyone would feel apprehensive. Despite this, open communication with your partner should remedy any nervous feelings and strengthen the relationship.
Stomach aches can be due to rougher sex than what you are accustomed to. More aggressive or energetic sex can be exhaustive and cause you to feel temporarily nauseous. However, the experience should fade after a short perio
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